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 Siwa
one of Egypt's Western Oasis , has had a number
of different names over the millenniums. It was
called Santariya by ancient Arabs. It was also
called the Oasis of Jupiter-Amun, Marmaricus
Hammon, the Field of Palm Trees and Santar by
the ancient Egyptians.
The Siwan people are the true Western Desert
people, who once roamed the North African coast
between Tunisia and Morocco. Siwa is more North
African sometimes than Egyptian. Their language,
traditions, rites, dress, decorations and tools
differ from those of the other Western Oasis.
It may have been colonized during the reign of
Ramesses III, but traces refer to the 26th
Dynasty prove that it was part of the Egyptian
empire. Gebel el-Mawta Necropolis was
established, which was in use through the Roman
Period. |
 Some
sources maintain that it remained independent
ruled by a Libyan tribal chief until Roman
times. The two temples dedicated to Amun, were
established by Ahmose II and Nectanebo II.
It was the Greeks who made the Siwa Oasis
notable. They discovered and popularized the
Oracle of Amun located in the Siwa Oasis.
After taking Egypt from the Persians and
establishing Alexandria, Alexander the Great
headed for the Siwa Oasis to consult the famous
Oracle of Amun. Upon arrival at the Oasis and
the Oracle of Amun, Alexander was pronounced a
god for legitimate rule of the country. |
 Cleopatra VII may have also visited this Oasis to consult with the Oracle, as well as perhaps bath in the spring that now bears her name.
Christianity would have had a difficult time establishing itself in this Oasis, and most sources agree that it did not. By 708 AD, Islam came to the Oasis. Inhabitants of Siwa Oasis moved from the ancient town of Aghurmi and established the present city called
Shali, which simply means town. This new fortified town was built with only three gates. |
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